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are Craftsman™ tools really that bad as people say in the intrawebz..?

Craftsman Tools = Bilt

Can't beat the warranty, great for "entry level" tools, and most of the time, you'll never need another.
 
I've loved crafstman tools and have heard of the lifetime warranty. I never needed it for my dad's tools. My sister just got a house so I got her one of those 250 piece sets. It just feels a bit inferior. They will work fine for a long time, but they feel like crap compared to my dad's old set. (Coming from a guy who knows nothing about tools)
 
Heh highest quality tools I have used are Craftsman. Reviews of tool brand show the difference between consumer grade and professional grade. The difference is in balance, tool profile and finish.

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Craftsman are good enough for my requirements. Done some amazing things using em.
 
thanks for the confidence...

went to lowes to take a second look at their kobalt stuff but just didn't like em...probably good tools but it just screamed cheap...overall finish was just detestable, imo...

hopped over home depot and looked closer at the husky stuff and liked some of their stuff like their 'stubby' socket/ratchet sets and wrenches...

remembered sears sold wrenches individually and had a black finish to them...a bit pricier but they felt and looked good...

yeah, i know tools aren't suppose to look pretty but i don't want cheap looking ones around the garage either...
 
V4 said:
yeah, i know tools aren't suppose to look pretty but i don't want cheap looking ones around the garage either...
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Usually they look better because they're made better and are nicer to use. Cheap looks and feels cheap. You might check CL for deals, they'll still honor the warranty on them if you break one. I picked up a whole mechanics set of the older good Craftsman with a tool chest and a snap-on 3/8 ratchet, for half what Sears wanted for the newer China-made sets. I also buy flea market wrenches for cheap, for when I need to grind one to fit.
 
Heres the scoop... craftsman had a pro line of wrenches. The finish was like snap on. Unfortunately, it didnt sell. So now they sell the open porous type that are hard on your hands. For the DIY, you cant go wrong with them, or husky/lowes. The one bad thing about craftsman is that if you blow out a ratchet, and you like the design, you will only get what is available- not like for like exchange. They do hold up quite well though, and I use them 8 hours a day. You can also look on CL for snap on sets. They make the best wrenches bar none. Flank drive ftw. Oh one last thing, if you get a socket set, get 6 point, not 12.
 
There are a few times that you need 12 point. The head bolts on my Subaru are an example... and I broke a Craftsman socket on the very first one.
 
The amount you spend on tools is relative to the amount of time you will be using the tool "X", divided by the 'How bad I need it factor' "B", multiplied by the "fuck it" factor,"F".

Just for the example let's say X is 2 days per week, and we'll give B a neutral value of 1, and fuck it will have a neutral value of 1.

2 / 1 x 1 = 2

You take that value and apply it to my handy what should I spend on tools chart.

1. Spend less where it doesn't matter. Wrenches, screwdrivers, hammers, etc. Harbor freight, Powerbuilt, Stanley, etc. Pick up nicer stuff where you can on the cheap.

2. Step up to department store tool sets (Craftyman, husky) Amazon is also a good resource to put together a nicer toolkit if you don't mind shopping for each part. Spend more on nice electric tools. Bosch, dewalt, Milwaukee, etc.

3. High end hand tools, Snapoff , Matco, etc. "I'm a fucking baller and I need that vibrating torque wrench to show it."

IMO if you don't have any tools the big 300 piece craftsman sets are a good start for the buck. Sears regularly has them on sale and they're all over ebay. Craftsman 309 piece Mechanics tool set $169
 
I've been using Craftsman, as well as many of the other brands mentioned, for almost 30 years. Shipboard use. This stuff takes a beating. The only issue I've had is when people do not use the tool for it's intended purpose.

Like the time one of my guys comes up with a 1/2 inch drive ratchet that spins in both directions. He says; "Hey Chief, sorry I broke it. I guess I don't know my own strength." So I get him a new one and tell him not to break it. I find out later on he didn't want to take the time to go get a breaker bar so he put a 3 foot pipe on the end of the ratchet. :rolleyes

Yes, it was a Craftsman ratchet. Use a breaker bar, go get a pneumatic or electric impact wrench or double up two combination wrenches. Don't overload the ratchet. :afm199
 
Ant said:
People that post on the internet are dumbfucks.

Nothing wrong with Craftsman tools for around the house, cars and trucks. Break one and return it for a free replacement no questions asked, pretty good policy.
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Not fancy but they work. Old grizzled guys and snob snapon guys bitch they arent made in 'Murica anymore.

I wont by their power tools but mechanics stuff sure. My only gripe is their box wrenches are kind of thick. Few I've flattened on the grinder to get into tighter spaces.
 
My dad worked gave me some of his older Proto and US made craftsman from over 15 years ago. I like them alot better than the newer gear wrench, husky and craftsman sockets and ratchets.

But mine is light duty, like working on the cars and stuff around the house. I think for what I do it works fine. I have replaced some older craftsman for the newer ones and wished I could have gotten the same item back. The replacements like said before are usually cheaper in quality.

I second the choice of checking out flea markets, garage sales or estate sales for older tools as they prolly will last another long time.
 
Junkie said:
There are a few times that you need 12 point. The head bolts on my Subaru are an example... and I broke a Craftsman socket on the very first one.
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Yes this is true, also on some european stuff. Just threw it out there in case he gets a socket/ratchet set. Many times they stuff it with the 12 point
 
I'm not a pro, so craftsman tools work fine for me.

The few I've broken got replaced quick and easy, no hassles.

People just badmouth them because they aren't as good of quality as snap-on and some of the other pro brands, but at a fraction of the cost they are a good deal.
 
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